Apple may release new inexpensive 9.7-inch iPad for 2018

Apple is reportedly planning to release most affordable 9.7-inch iPad ever in the year 2018.

Apple released its current 9.7-inch iPad in March this year.

After launching the 9.7-inch iPad at $329, Apple is set to release another similar surprise in the year 2018 with a starting price that is cheaper than its existing equivalent, as per a new report.

According to Digitimes, Apple's 2018 version of the 9.7-inch iPad might cost at around $259, in a bid to attract more demand. The report says that "the device should be able to attract more demand from price-oriented consumers, allowing Apple to maintain its present 10 million-unit tablet shipments a quarter."

The report also suggests that the Cupertino based tech giant, with its new 9.7-inch iPad, will compete against the budget tablets from first-tier players such as Samsung Electronics, Huawei, and Lenovo.

Apple released its current 9.7-inch iPad in March this year. The device comes with a retina display and is powered by A9 chipset. The processor is clubbed with the M9 motion co-processor and 2GB of RAM. The iPad comes with 32GB storage in base variant and there is also a version with 128GB storage.